Speaking on a recent episode of the Football Writers Podcast, Adrian Clarke discussed West Bromwich Albion’s survival chances in the Premier League this season.
Having been automatically promoted to the Premier League last season, things have not got off to the best of starts for West Brom this term.
In the league, the Baggies are yet to win a single game, having lost 3-0 to Leicester City, 5-2 to Everton, 2-0 to Southampton and 2-0 to Fulham, as well as drawing against the likes of Chelsea, Burnley and Brighton & Hove Albion – results that have left West Brom in 17th place in the table.
In fact, the only game Slaven Bilic’s side have emerged victorious from in all competitions so far this season was in the second round of the Carabao Cup, in which they defeated Harrogate Town 3-0.
The Baggies were one topic of conversation on a recent episode of the Football Writers Podcast, in which Clarke, unfortunately for fans of the club, tipped West Brom as one of the relegation candidates for this season.
He said: “It’s a bit early to write them off completely because [there’re] quite a lot of average teams in the bottom end of the Premier League at the moment, but it’s not looking great.
“I don’t think that they strengthened their defence well enough, or maybe central midfield. They started this season with the [Jake] Livermore-Romaine Sawyers axis, and I think that’s been found out a little bit.
“Conor Gallagher’s come in alongside [Filip] Krovinovic, and I think they’ve added a bit more quality. They signed Karlan Grant – [a] good player in the Championship, but is he the guy [they] can rely on to keep them up? I don’t think any of us can be sure of that. So, hand on heart, I’m pretty sure West Brom will get relegated this season.”
Do you believe that West Brom can stay up this season?
Yes
No
TIF Thoughts on Adrian Clarke’s comments regarding West Bromwich Albion’s survival hopes…
From Clarke’s comments, it would appear that the journalist is of the belief that West Brom are destined for the drop this season, primarily because he feels they did not strengthen well enough over the summer transfer window.
And, considering the way that the club have started the Premier League season, we have to say, it is difficult to disagree with Clarke’s assessment of the club’s chances of staying up, unfortunately for their fans.